Hydration pack

ABSTRACT

A hydration pack may comprise a main body formed from a warp-knit fabric. The main body may have a three-dimensional shape. The three-dimensional shape may define a cavity configured to store liquid. A portion of the main body may be folded and coupled with another portion of the main body. The folded portions may define a multilayer structure. The hydration pack may comprise an aperture configured to allow access to the liquid stored in the cavity. The hydration pack may comprise a material configured to create a compression gradient in the cavity. The hydration pack may comprise a section comprising a material having a higher modulus of elasticity than a material of another section of the hydration pack.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a nonprovisional of and claims the benefit of U.S.provisional application No. 62/767,660 filed Nov. 15, 2018, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Participants in recreational or athletic activities may requirehydration while participating in the activity. The participants maytransport liquid on their persons, such as in liquid-carrying garments,for convenience and to minimize downtime. Regulatory bodies of certainactivities may require that participants in the activities carry liquidon their person. The regulatory bodies may mandate that the garmentsthat the participants use to carry liquid meet certain requirements. Forexample, the liquid-carrying garments may also be required to holdadditional equipment, such as a walking stick, raingear, a blanket, alight, or a bottle. As another example, the liquid-carrying garments maybe required to have certain dimensions. While essential to theactivities, the liquid-carrying garments may be uncomfortable orburdensome to wear.

SUMMARY

A participant in a recreational or athletic activity may transportliquid using a hydration pack. The hydration pack may comprise a mainbody formed from a warp-knit fabric. The main body may have a tubularshape or another three-dimensional shape. The shape may define a cavity.The cavity may be configured to store liquid. The cavity may have acompression gradient configured to cause liquid to move towards a top ofthe cavity or to meet a hose.

A first portion of the main body may be folded to be disposed adjacent asecond portion of the main body. The first portion may be coupled to thesecond portion. The first portion coupled to the second portion maydefine a multilayer structure. The hydration pack may comprise anaperture configured to allow access to the liquid stored in the cavity.The hydration pack may comprise a plurality of sections. A section maycomprise a material with a higher modulus of elasticity than anothersection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but notby way of limitation, various examples discussed in the presentdisclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows an example hydration pack pattern.

FIG. 2 shows an example body of a hydration pack.

FIG. 3 shows an example body of a hydration pack.

FIG. 4 shows an example body of a hydration pack.

FIG. 5 shows an example method of making a hydration pack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an example pattern for a hydration pack 100. The hydrationpack 100 may comprise a backpack, a vest, a shirt, or another garment orequipment configured to hold liquid. The hydration pack 100 may beconfigured to be worn directly against the skin of a user of thehydration pack 100. The hydration pack 100 may be configured to be wornover another garment worn by the user. The hydration pack 100 may beconfigured to be worn on the abdomen, the back, or the hips of a user,for example.

The hydration pack 100 may comprise a main body 101. The main body 101may comprise a plurality of sections. The main body 101 may comprise anexterior bladder pocket section 102. The exterior bladder pocket section102 may comprise two layers. The two layers may be formed from a knittedmaterial. The knitted material may comprise a warp-knitted material. Theknitted material may comprise a polyester, another polymer, or a blendthereof, for example. The knitted material may comprise a plurality oflooped structures. The looped structures may be arranged in rows. Atleast a portion of looped structures in one row may be interlocked withat least a portion of looped structures of another row, such as anadjacent row. The knitted material may comprise a moisture managementyarn. The exterior bladder pocket section 102 may comprise a meshmaterial. The mesh material may be coupled to the two layers of knitmaterial, such as sewn to the knit material.

The exterior bladder pocket section 102 may comprise a cavity betweenthe two layers. The cavity may be configured to hold a bladder. Theexterior bladder pocket section 102 may comprise one or more apertures103. The apertures 103 may be configured to enable access to the cavity.The apertures 103 may comprise ducts from the cavity to the spaceexternal to the hydration pack 100. The apertures 103 may be configuredfor a hose, tube, and/or nozzle coupled to the bladder to exit or enterthe exterior bladder pocket section 102. The hose, tube, and/or nozzlemay be coupled to the bladder. The hose, tube, and/or nozzle may beconfigured to draw or deliver liquid from the bladder to a user. Theexterior bladder pocket section 102 may comprise a closed top 112. Thetop 112 may be sewn shut. The closed top 112 may be disposed between theapertures 103. The closed top 112 may be configured to secure thebladder within the exterior bladder pocket section 102.

The exterior bladder pocket section 102 may comprise a pulley thatcreates a compression gradient in the exterior bladder pocket section102 or in the cavity within the exterior bladder pocket section 102. Thepulley may be configured to tighten the cavity as a quantity of liquidin the bladder decreases. The pulley may be configured to loosen thecavity as the quantity of liquid in the bladder increases. The cavitymay comprise a material configured to compress the liquid in the cavityas the quantity of liquid decreases. For example, the material maycomprise a high-powered lycra. The material may be configured to createa compression gradient. For example, the material may compress theliquid more near a bottom of the cavity than near a top of the cavity.The areas of the cavity with greater compression may comprise more ofthe material, such as a greater density or concentration of thematerial.

The exterior bladder pocket section 102 may have a shape that isconfigured to fit or conform to a body of a user of the hydration pack100. For example, the exterior bladder pocket section 102 may have ascooped shape at the top configured for a neck of the user. The exteriorbladder pocket section may have scooped shapes at the side to make holesfor arms of the user. The sides may be closed. For example, the sidesmay be sewn. The exterior bladder pocket section 102 may be configuredto be worn on a back of a user when the hydration pack 100 is in normaluse.

The main body 101 may comprise one or more waist sections 104. The waistsections 104 may comprise a material having a modulus of elasticity thatis greater than the material of other sections of the main body 101.Modulus of elasticity may be measured by a standardized test, such asASTM C469M, ASTM E2769, ASTM C469, or ASTM E111. The waist sections 104may comprise two layers. The waist sections 104 may be configured to beworn on a waist or under the arms of a user when the hydration pack 100is in normal use.

The main body 101 may comprise one or more side sections 105 a, 105 b.The side sections 105 a, 105 b may comprise two layers. The sidesections 105 a, 105 b may comprise side apertures (not shown). The sidesections 105 a, 105 b may each have multiple side apertures, such asdouble slit openings. The side sections 105 a, 105 b may comprisepockets 107. The pockets 107 may comprise closing mechanisms, such aszippers or pulleys. The side sections 105 a, 105 b may comprisedifferent materials or the same materials. One side section 105 a maycomprise a material having a greater modulus of elasticity than amaterial of the other side section 105 b. At least one of the sidesections 105 a, 105 b may have a functional aperture 120. The sidesections 105 a, 105 b may comprise tabs 108. The tabs 108 may be coupledto the side sections 105 a, 105 b such as by knitting or welding (e.g.,ultrasonic welding). The tabs 108 may be configured to be joined, suchas to secure the hydration pack 100 on the body of the user. The tabs108 may comprise a closing mechanism, such as clips or velcro.

The main body 101 may comprise a lower section 109. The lower section109 may comprise two layers. The lower section 109 may comprise acavity, such as within a pocket. The cavity may be configured to storeequipment, such as a pole. The cavity may comprise a non-mesh material.The lower section 109 may be configured to be worn on a waist or on hipsof a user when the hydration pack 100 is in normal use.

The main body 101 may comprise wing sections 110. The wing sections 110may each comprise two layers. The wing sections 110 may comprise a firstlayer that is configured to be in contact with the body of a user whenthe hydration pack 100 is in normal use. The wing sections 110 may eachcomprise a second layer that is configured to be external to the body ofthe user or to face opposite the body of the user when they hydrationpack 100 is in normal use. The first layer and the second layer maycomprise same or different material. As an example, the first layer maycomprise a non-mesh material and the second layer may comprise a meshmaterial. The wing sections 110 may each comprise a cavity, such as fora pocket. A portion of each of the wing sections 110 may be open, suchas to provide a pathway to the cavity.

The main body 101 may comprise a unitary piece of knitted fabric. Forexample, the exterior bladder pocket section 102, the waist sections104, the side sections 105 a, 105 b, the lower section 109, and/or thewing sections 110 may comprise a unitary piece of knitted fabric. Theexterior bladder pocket section 102, the waist sections 104, the sidesections 105 a, 105 b, the lower section 109, and/or the wing sections110 may comprise pieces of material coupled to the unitary piece ofknitted fabric. The main body 101 may comprise a first portion folded tobe disposed adjacent a second portion of the main body 101. For example,the first portion may comprise an interior side of the hydration pack100 and the second portion may comprise an exterior side of thehydration pack 100. The first portion folded to be disposed adjacent thesecond portion may define a multilayer structure of the main body 101.As an example, the main body 101 may comprise two, four, six, eight, ormore layers. Two or more of the layers may form a cavity. The cavity maycomprise the cavity of the exterior bladder pocket section 102configured to hold a bladder and/or any of the pockets. The cavity maybe partitioned to form distinct cavities or pockets, such as with one ormore seams. The seams may be formed by sewing, gluing, and/or welding,as examples.

The main body 101 may comprise a coupling mechanism configured to couplethe first portion to the second portion. The coupling mechanism maycomprise sewing, gluing, or ultrasonic welding of the first portion andthe second portion, for example. The coupling of the first portion tothe second portion may form a seam. The seam may be disposed at one ofvarious locations on the hydration pack 100, depending on theconfiguration of the first portion folded on the second portion. Toillustrate, the seam may be located along an edge. The seam may accountfor a portion of a weight of the hydration pack 100. The seam may beminimized to minimize the weight of the hydration pack 100. Minimizingthe seam may also reduce the labor required to manufacture the hydrationpack 100. For example, a length of the seam may be minimized to minimizethe weight of the hydration pack 100. The seam may be minimized by theunitary piece of material comprising at least a portion of the main body101. The seam may be minimized by the first portion of the main body 101being folded to be disposed adjacent the second portion of the main body101. The folding of the first portion over the second portion mayeliminate the need to couple different pieces of fabric, wherein thecoupling of the different pieces of fabric may form a seam.

The hydration pack 100 may comprise one or more accessory components.The accessory components may be coupled to the main body 101. Theaccessory components may comprise closing mechanisms, such as to close acavity or pocket of the main body 101. Examples of closing mechanismsinclude pulleys, zippers, snaps, hooks, and velcro. The accessorycomponents may comprise mechanisms for securing equipment to thehydration pack 100, such as straps or hooks.

FIG. 2a shows an example hydration pack body 201. The body 201 maycomprise the main body 101 or a portion of the main body 101 of thehydration pack 100 in FIG. 1. FIG. 2a may show the body 201 having asimplified pattern to illustrate the concept of a making and/or foldingthe main body 101 or a portion of the main body 101. The main body 101may comprise the body 201, but with a different pattern, such as apattern similar to the pattern shown in FIG. 1.

The body 201 may be formed from a knitted material. The knitted materialmay comprise a warp-knitted material. The knitted material may comprisea polyester, another polymer, or a blend thereof, for example. Thematerial may be selected based on a desired property of the hydrationpack 100. Examples of properties include weight, waterproofness, windresistance, reflectivity, breathability, flexibility, strength, andappearance. The knitted material may comprise a plurality of interlockedloops. The knitted material may comprise a moisture management yarn. Theyarn may comprise a first layer of yarn configured to draw moisture andpass the moisture to a second layer. The second layer maybe configuredto release the moisture to the surrounding environment.

The body 201 may comprise a unitary piece of knitted fabric. The body201 may comprise a tubular shape or another three-dimensional shapedefining a cavity 202. The three-dimensional shape may comprise atubular or cylindrical shape with sides or ends that are shaped based ona pattern of the hydration pack. For example, FIG. 3 shows athree-dimensional shape that is based on a shirt-like pattern of ahydration pack. FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional shape that is based ona vest-like pattern of a hydration pack. The body 201 may comprise afirst open end 203 a. The body 201 may comprise a second open end 203 bopposite the first open end 203 a. The cavity 202 may comprise an areabetween the first open end 203 a and the second open end 203 b.

The body 201 may flattened. The flattened body 201 may form a firstlayer overlapping a second layer of the body 201. The flattened body 201may comprise a first portion 204 a. The flattened body 201 may comprisea second portion 204 b. The first portion 204 a may be folded to bedisposed adjacent the second portion 204 b. For example, the firstportion 204 a may be folded over a y-axis. The y-axis may be located ata center of the flattened body 201. For example, as depicted in FIG. 2a, the y-axis may pass through a center of the flattened body 201 and runalong a length or width of the flattened body 201. Alternatively, they-axis may be off-center relative the flattened body 201. The y-axis mayrun along a diagonal line or another line relative to the length and thewidth of the flattened body 201.

FIG. 2b shows the flattened body 201 with the first portion 204 a foldedover the y-axis to be disposed adjacent the second portion 204 b. Thefirst portion 204 a folded to be disposed adjacent the second portion204 b may define a multilayer structure of the body 201. For example,FIG. 2b depicts the body 201 as comprising a four-layer structure. Thecavity 202 may be disposed between one or more of the layers. Forexample, in FIG. 2b , the cavity 202 is depicted as disposed betweenadjacent layers 205 a and 205 b. The cavity 202 is depicted as disposedbetween adjacent layers 205 c and 205 d.

After the first portion 204 a is folded to be disposed adjacent thesecond portion 204 b, the first portion 204 a and the second portion 204b may be coupled. As examples, the first portion 204 a may be sewn,glued, or ultrasonically welded to the second portion 204 b. A portionof the first portion 204 and a portion of the second portion 204 b maybe coupled. The first portion 204 a coupled to the second portion 204 bmay form a seam.

At least a portion of the first open end 203 a or the second open end203 b may be closed. For example, the first open end 203 a or the secondopen end 203 b may be sewn, glued, or ultrasonically welded closed. Atleast a portion of the first open end 203 a or the second open end 203 bmay be left open to form an aperture. Liquid stored in the cavity 202may be accessed via the aperture.

The aperture may be formed in the body 201. For example, a hole may beformed in the body 201 that exposes at least a portion of the cavity202. One or more storage pockets may be coupled to the body 201. Forexample, the pockets may be formed by coupling fabric to the body 201.Straps may be coupled to the body 201. Zippers, bungees, or pulleys maybe coupled to the body 201. Additional fabric may be coupled to the body201.

The tubular shape of the body 201 should not be construed as limited toa particular design. The design may vary depending on a type ofhydration pack that the body 201 forms. To illustrate, FIG. 3a shows abody 301 for a hydration pack comprising a vest or backpack. The body301 may comprise a three-dimensional shape defining a cavity 302. Thebody 301 may comprise a first open end 303 a. The body 301 may comprisea second open end 303 b opposite the first open end 303 a. The cavity302 may comprise an area between the first open end 303 a and the secondopen end 303 b.

The body 301 may flattened. The flattened body 301 may form a firstlayer overlapping a second layer of the body 301. The flattened body 301may comprise a first portion 304 a. The flattened body 301 may comprisea second portion 304 b. The first portion 304 a may be folded to bedisposed adjacent the second portion 304 b. For example, the firstportion 304 a may be folded over a z-axis.

FIG. 3b shows the flattened body 301 with the first portion 304 a foldedover the z-axis to be disposed adjacent the second portion 304 b. Thefirst portion 304 a folded to be disposed adjacent the second portion304 b may define a multilayer structure of the body 301. For example,FIG. 3b depicts the body 301 as comprising a four-layer structure. Thecavity 302 may be disposed between one or more of the layers. Forexample, in FIG. 3b , the cavity 302 is depicted as disposed betweenadjacent layers 305 a and 305 b. The cavity 302 is depicted as disposedbetween adjacent layers 305 c and 305 d.

After the first portion 304 a is folded to be disposed adjacent thesecond portion 304 b, the first portion 304 a and the second portion 304b may be coupled. As examples, the first portion 304 a may be sewn,glued, or ultrasonically welded to the second portion 304 b. A portionof the first portion 304 and a portion of the second portion 304 b maybe coupled. The first portion 304 a coupled to the second portion 304 bmay form a seam.

At least a portion of the first open end 303 a or the second open end303 b may be closed. For example, the first open end 303 a or the secondopen end 303 b may be sewn, glued, or ultrasonically welded closed. Atleast a portion of the first open end 303 a or the second open end 303 bmay be left open to form an aperture. Liquid stored in the cavity 302may be accessed via the aperture.

As an additional example, FIG. 4a shows a body 401 for a hydration packcomprising a vest or a backpack. The body 401 may comprise athree-dimensional shape defining a cavity 402. The body 401 may comprisea first open end 403 a. The body 401 may comprise a second open end 403b opposite the first open end 403 a. The cavity 402 may comprise an areabetween the first open end 403 a and the second open end 403 b. The body401 may comprise a first closed end 404 a. The body 401 may comprise asecond closed end 404 b opposite the first closed end 404 a.

The body 401 may flattened. The flattened body 401 may form a firstlayer overlapping a second layer of the body 401. The flattened body 401may comprise a first portion at the open end 403 a. The flattened body301 may comprise a second portion at the open end 403 b. The firstportion 403 a may be folded to be disposed adjacent the second portion403 b. For example, the first portion 403 a may be folded over anx-axis.

FIG. 4b shows the flattened body 401 with the first portion 403 a foldedover the x-axis to be disposed adjacent the second portion 403 b. Thefirst portion 403 a folded to be disposed adjacent the second portion403 b may define a multilayer structure of the body 401. For example,FIG. 4b depicts the body 401 as comprising a four-layer structure. Thecavity 402 may be disposed between one or more of the layers. Forexample, in FIG. 4b , the cavity 402 is depicted as disposed betweenadjacent layers 405 a and 405 b. The cavity 402 is depicted as disposedbetween adjacent layers 405 c and 405 d.

After the first portion 403 a is folded to be disposed adjacent thesecond portion 403 b, the first portion 403 a and the second portion 403b may be coupled. As examples, the first portion 403 a may be sewn,glued, or ultrasonically welded to the second portion 403 b. A portionof the first portion 403 a and a portion of the second portion 403 b maybe coupled. The first portion 403 a coupled to the second portion 403 bmay form a seam.

At least a portion of the first open end 403 a or the second open end403 b may be closed. For example, the first open end 403 a or the secondopen end 403 b may be sewn, glued, or ultrasonically welded closed. Atleast a portion of the first open end 403 a or the second open end 403 bmay be left open to form an aperture. Liquid stored in the cavity 302may be accessed via the aperture.

The present disclosure comprises at least the following aspects:

Aspect 1. A hydration pack comprising: a body having at least two layersdefining a cavity between the at least two layers, wherein the body isformed from a warp-knit material, wherein the cavity is configured tohold a liquid storage bladder; and an aperture disposed through thebody, thereby allowing access to the cavity.

Aspect 2. The hydration pack of aspect 1, wherein a first portion of thehydration pack comprises a first material and a second portion of thehydration pack comprises a second material different than the firstmaterial; and wherein the first material has a higher modulus ofelasticity than the second material.

Aspect 3. The hydration pack of any one of aspects 1-2, wherein at leasta portion of the hydration pack comprises a mesh material.

Aspect 4. The hydration pack of any one of aspects 1-3, furthercomprising a portion comprising a single layer of material.

Aspect 5. The hydration pack of any one of aspects 1-4, furthercomprising a plurality of pockets.

Aspect 6. The hydration pack of any one of aspects 1-5, wherein the bodycomprises a material configured to cause a compression gradient in thecavity.

Aspect 7. A hydration pack comprising: a main body having athree-dimensional shape defining at least one cavity, wherein a firstportion of the main body is folded to be disposed adjacent a secondportion of the main body thereby defining a multilayer structure, andwherein the main body is formed from a knitted material; a couplingmechanism configured to couple the first portion to the second portion;and an aperture disposed through the main body, thereby allowing accessto the at least one cavity.

Aspect 8. The hydration pack of aspect 7, wherein the at least onecavity is configured to hold liquid.

Aspect 9. The hydration pack of any one of aspects 7-8, wherein theknitted material comprises a plurality of rows of looped structures,wherein the plurality of rows comprises at least a first row and asecond row adjacent to the first row, wherein at least a subset of loopstructures of the first row are interlocked with at least one loopstructure of the second row, and wherein the first layer and the secondlayer are joined by at least the subset of the loop structures of thefirst row and the at least one loop structure of the second row.

Aspect 10. The hydration pack of any one of aspects 7-9, wherein thehydration pack is configured to be worn on an abdomen of a user.

Aspect 11. The hydration pack of any one of aspects 7-10, wherein thehydration pack is configured to be worn on a back of a user.

Aspect 12. The hydration pack of any one of aspects 7-11, wherein thehydration pack comprises at least one of a vest, a backpack, or a fannypack.

Aspect 13. The hydration pack of any one of aspects 7-12, wherein themultilayer structure comprises a four-layer structure.

Aspect 14. The hydration pack of any one of aspects 7-13, wherein themultilayer structure comprises structure with at least two layers.

Aspect 15. The hydration pack of any one of aspects 7-14, wherein theknitted material comprises a polyester.

Aspect 16. The hydration pack of any one of aspects 7-15, wherein afirst portion of the hydration pack comprises a first material and asecond portion of the hydration pack comprises a second materialdifferent than the first material; and wherein the first material has ahigher modulus of elasticity than the second material.

Aspect 17. The hydration pack of any one of aspects 7-16, wherein atleast a portion of the hydration pack comprises a mesh material.

Aspect 18. The hydration pack of any one of aspects 7-17, furthercomprising a portion comprising a single layer of material.

Aspect 19. The hydration pack of any one of aspects 7-18, furthercomprising a plurality of pockets.

Aspect 20. The hydration pack of any one of aspects 7-19, wherein themain body comprises a material configured to cause a compressiongradient in the cavity.

Aspect 21. The hydration pack of any one of aspects 7-20, wherein thehydration pack further comprises a plurality of pockets.

Aspect 22. The hydration pack of aspect 21, wherein at least a portionof the plurality of pockets are formed from the knitted material.

Aspect 23. The hydration pack of aspect 21, wherein at least a portionof the plurality of pockets are coupled to the main body.

Aspect 24. A method of making a hydration pack comprising: knitting amain body having a three-dimensional shape defining at least one cavity;folding a first portion of the main body to be disposed adjacent asecond portion of the main body thereby defining a multilayer structure;coupling the first portion to the second portion; and closing a portionof an end of the main body to define an aperture allowing access to theat least one cavity.

Aspect 25. The method of aspect 24, wherein the at least one cavity isconfigured to hold liquid.

Aspect 26. The method of any one of aspects 24-25, wherein the couplingthe first portion to the second portion comprises at least one of sewingor ultrasonically welding the first portion to the second portion.

Aspect 27. The method of any one of aspects 24-26, wherein themultilayer structure comprises a four-layer structure.

Aspect 28. The method of any one of aspects 24-27, wherein themultilayer structure comprises structure with at least two layers.

Aspect 29. The method of any one of aspects 24-28, wherein the knittingthe main body comprises warp knitting the main body.

Aspect 30. The method of any one of aspects 24-29, wherein the main bodycomprises a polyester.

Aspect 31. The method of any one of aspects 24-30, wherein a firstportion of the hydration pack comprises a first material and a secondportion of the hydration pack comprises a second material different thanthe first material; and wherein the first material has a higher modulusof elasticity than the second material.

Aspect 32. The method of any one of aspects 24-31, wherein at least aportion of the hydration pack comprises a mesh material.

Aspect 33. The method of any one of aspects 24-32, further comprisingcoupling a single layer of material to the main body.

Aspect 34. The method of any one of aspects 24-33, further comprisingpartitioning the cavity.

Aspect 35. The method of any one of aspects 24-34, wherein thepartitioning the cavity comprises at least one of sewing, gluing, orwelding a portion of the main body.

Aspect 36. The method of any one of aspects 24-35, wherein thepartitioning the cavity comprises forming two or more separatedcavities.

Aspect 37. The method of any one of aspects 24-36, wherein the hydrationpack comprises a plurality of pockets.

Aspect 38. The method of any one of aspects 24-37, further comprisingcoupling a material to the main body configured to cause a compressiongradient in the cavity.

Aspect 39. An apparatus for making a hydration pack comprising: meansfor knitting a main body having a three-dimensional shape defining atleast one cavity; means for folding a first portion of the main body tobe disposed adjacent a second portion of the main body thereby defininga multilayer structure; and means for coupling the first portion to thesecond portion; wherein the hydration pack has an aperture through themain body, thereby allowing access to the at least one cavity.

Aspect 40. The apparatus of aspect 39, wherein the at least one cavityis configured to hold liquid.

Aspect 41. The apparatus of any one of aspects 39-40, wherein the meansfor coupling the first portion to the second portion comprises at leastone of sewing or ultrasonically welding the first portion to the secondportion.

Aspect 42. The apparatus of any one of aspects 39-41, wherein themultilayer structure comprises a four-layer structure.

Aspect 43. The apparatus of any one of aspects 39-42, wherein themultilayer structure comprises structure with at least two layers.

Aspect 44. The apparatus of any one of aspects 39-43, wherein the meansfor knitting the main body comprise a warp knitting component.

Aspect 45. The apparatus of any one of aspects 39-44, wherein the firstportion and the second portion each have a length, wherein a portion ofthe first portion coupled to a portion of the second portion has alength less than or equal to twenty-five percent of the length of thefirst portion and the second portion.

Aspect 46. The apparatus of any one of aspects 39-45, wherein the mainbody comprises polyester.

Aspect 47. The apparatus of any one of aspects 39-46, wherein a firstportion of the hydration pack comprises a first material and a secondportion of the hydration pack comprises a second material different thanthe first material; and wherein the first material has a higher modulusof elasticity than the second material.

Aspect 48. The apparatus of any one of aspects 39-47, wherein at least aportion of the hydration pack comprises a mesh material.

Aspect 49. The apparatus of any one of aspects 39-48, wherein thehydration pack comprises a portion having a single layer.

Aspect 50. The apparatus of any one of aspects 39-49, wherein thehydration pack comprises a plurality of pockets.

Aspect 51. The apparatus of any one of aspects 39-50, wherein thehydration pack comprises a material configured to cause a compressiongradient in the cavity.

Aspect 52. A machine configured to perform a process comprising:knitting a main body having a three-dimensional shape defining at leastone cavity; folding a first portion of the main body to be disposedadjacent a second portion of the main body thereby defining a multilayerstructure; and coupling the first portion to the second portion; whereinthe hydration pack has an aperture through the main body, therebyallowing access to the at least one cavity.

Aspect 53. The machine of aspect 52, wherein the at least one cavity isconfigured to hold liquid.

Aspect 54. The machine of any one of aspects 52-53, wherein the couplingthe first portion to the second portion comprises at least one of sewingor ultrasonically welding the first portion to the second portion.

Aspect 55. The machine of any one of aspects 52-54, wherein themultilayer structure comprises a four-layer structure.

Aspect 56. The machine of any one of aspects 52-55, wherein themultilayer structure comprises structure with at least two layers.

Aspect 57. The machine of any one of aspects 52-56, wherein the knittingthe main body comprises warp knitting the main body.

Aspect 58. The machine of any one of aspects 52-57, wherein the knittingthe main body comprises weft knitting the main body.

Aspect 59. The machine of any one of aspects 52-58, wherein the mainbody comprises a polyester.

Aspect 60. The machine of any one of aspects 52-59, wherein the machinecomprises a warp knitting machine.

Aspect 61. The machine of any one of aspects 52-60, wherein the machinecomprises a flat-bed knitting machine.

Aspect 62. A product formed by: knitting a main body having athree-dimensional shape defining at least one cavity; folding a firstportion of the main body to be disposed adjacent a second portion of themain body thereby defining a multilayer structure; and coupling thefirst portion to the second portion; wherein an aperture goes throughthe main body, thereby allowing access to the at least one cavity.

Aspect 63. The product of aspect 62, wherein the at least one cavity isconfigured to hold liquid.

Aspect 64. The product of any one of aspects 62-63, wherein the couplingthe first portion to the second portion comprises at least one of sewingor ultrasonically welding the first portion to the second portion.

Aspect 65. The product of any one of aspects 62-64, wherein themultilayer structure comprises a four-layer structure.

Aspect 66. The product of any one of aspects 62-65, wherein themultilayer structure comprises structure with at least two layers.

Aspect 67. The product of any one of aspects 62-66, wherein the knittingthe main body comprises warp knitting the main body.

Aspect 68. The product of any one of aspects 62-67, wherein the firstportion and the second portion each have a length, wherein a portion ofthe first portion coupled to a portion of the second portion has alength less than or equal to twenty-five percent of the length of thefirst portion and the second portion.

Aspect 69. The product of any one of aspects 62-68, wherein the mainbody comprises a polyester.

Aspect 70. The product of any one of aspects 62-69, a plurality ofpockets are coupled to the main body.

FIG. 5 shows an example method 500 of making a hydration pack. Thehydration pack may be like the hydration pack 100 in FIG. 1. At step510, a body of the hydration pack may be knit. The body may be similarto main body 101 or a portion of the main body 101 in FIG. 1. The bodymay be similar to any of bodies 201, 301, and/or 401. The body may beknit using a warp knitting technique. The body may be knit using a warpknitting machine. The body may be knit using a flat-bed knittingmachine.

The body may comprise a unitary piece of knitted fabric. The body mayhave a tubular shape or another three-dimensional shape. Thethree-dimensional shape may define a cavity. The body may be flattened.For example, the body may be laid on a surface. The flattened body mayform at least one layer overlapping another layer. The flattened bodymay have a first portion and a second portion. For example, the firstportion and the second portion may be adjacent open ends of thethree-dimensional shape. As another example, the first portion and thesecond portion may be adjacent closed sides of the flattened body. Thefirst portion and the second portion may comprise halves of theflattened body.

At step 515, the first portion of the body may be folded to be disposedadjacent the second portion of the main body. The first portion may befolded over an axis, such as the y-axis in FIG. 2, the z-axis in FIG. 3,or the z-axis in FIG. 4. The first portion may be folded over an axisrunning through a center of the flattened body. The first portion may befolded manually. The first portion may be folded by a machine, such as apress or a mechanical claw.

The first portion folded to be disposed adjacent the second portion maydefine a multilayer structure of the body. As an example, the body maycomprise two, four, six, eight, or more layers. Two or more of thelayers may form the cavity. As an illustrative example, if the main bodycomprises four layers, two adjacent layers of the four layers may formthe cavity.

At step 520, the first portion may be coupled to the second portion. Asexamples, the first portion may be sewn, glued, or ultrasonicallywelded. The first portion may be coupled to the second portion by amachine, such as a sewing machine or a glue extruder. The coupling ofthe first portion to the second portion may form a seam. The seam mayrun along an edge of the body.

An open end of the body may be closed. The cavity may be closed. Aportion of the body or the cavity may be left open, such as to form anaperture. The aperture may allow access to liquid stored in the cavity.A bladder or a pouch may be disposed in the cavity.

One or more pieces of material may be coupled to the body. One or morepockets may be coupled to the body. One or more accessory components maybe coupled to the main body. An aperture may be formed on the main body.For example, an opening may be cut on the main body to form theaperture. A tube or a nozzle may be coupled at the aperture. The tube orthe nozzle may allow a user to draw water from the cavity.

What is claimed:
 1. A hydration pack comprising: a main body having athree-dimensional shape defining at least one cavity, wherein a firstportion of the main body is folded to be disposed adjacent a secondportion of the main body thereby defining a multilayer structurecomprising at least two layers, and wherein the main body is formed froma knitted material; a coupling mechanism configured to couple the firstportion to the second portion; and an aperture disposed through the mainbody, thereby allowing access to the at least one cavity, wherein the atleast one cavity is configured to hold liquid.
 2. The hydration pack ofclaim 1, wherein the knitted material comprises a plurality of rows oflooped structures, wherein the plurality of rows comprises at least afirst row and a second row adjacent to the first row, wherein at least asubset of loop structures of the first row are interlocked with at leastone loop structure of the second row, and wherein the first portion andthe second portion are joined by at least a subset of the loopstructures of the first row and the at least one loop structure of thesecond row.
 3. The hydration pack of claim 1, wherein the hydration packis configured to be worn on one or more of an abdomen of a user or aback of a user.
 4. The hydration pack of claim 1, wherein the hydrationpack comprises at least one of a vest, a backpack, or a fanny pack. 5.The hydration pack of claim 1, wherein the multilayer structurecomprises a four-layer structure.
 6. The hydration pack of claim 1,wherein the knitted material comprises a polyester.
 7. The hydrationpack of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the hydration pack comprisesa first material and a second portion of the hydration pack comprises asecond material different than the first material; and wherein the firstmaterial has a higher modulus of elasticity than the second material. 8.The hydration pack of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of thehydration pack comprises a mesh material.
 9. The hydration pack of claim1, further comprising a plurality of pockets.
 10. The hydration pack ofclaim 1, wherein the main body comprises a material configured to causea compression gradient in the cavity.
 11. A method of making a hydrationpack comprising: knitting a main body having a three-dimensional shapedefining at least one cavity; folding a first portion of the main bodyto be disposed adjacent a second portion of the main body therebydefining a multilayer structure comprising at least two layers; couplingthe first portion to the second portion; and closing a portion of an endof the main body to define an aperture allowing access to the at leastone cavity, wherein the at least one cavity is configured to holdliquid.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the coupling the firstportion to the second portion comprises at least one of sewing orultrasonically welding the first portion to the second portion.
 13. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the multilayer structure comprises afour-layer structure.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the knittingthe main body comprises warp knitting the main body.
 15. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the main body comprises a polyester.
 16. The method ofclaim 11, wherein a first portion of the hydration pack comprises afirst material and a second portion of the hydration pack comprises asecond material different than the first material, and wherein the firstmaterial has a higher modulus of elasticity than the second material.17. The method of claim 11, further comprising partitioning the cavity,wherein the partitioning the cavity comprises at least one of sewing,gluing, or welding a portion of the main body.
 18. A product formed by:knitting a main body having a three-dimensional shape defining at leastone cavity; folding a first portion of the main body to be disposedadjacent a second portion of the main body thereby defining a multilayerstructure comprising at least two layers; and coupling the first portionto the second portion; wherein an aperture goes through the main body,thereby allowing access to the at least one cavity, and wherein the atleast one cavity is configured to hold liquid.
 19. The product of claim18, wherein the coupling the first portion to the second portioncomprises at least one of sewing or ultrasonically welding the firstportion to the second portion, and, wherein the knitting the main bodycomprises warp knitting the main body.
 20. The product of claim 18,wherein a first portion of the main body comprises a first material anda second portion of the main body comprises a second material differentthan the first material, and wherein the first material has a highermodulus of elasticity than the second material.